I just do not understand how anyone could think that Pryor in 78/79 could beat absolute prime Duran.

Pryor was at least 18 months away from his peak, he was a relative novice fighting a 60-1 fighter, with 12 defence of the World Championship to his name. Pryor had barely 12 fights to his name in the timescale!

It could only lead to one result, Duran win, probably rather easily.